My uncle knew him very well (they both had restaurants in Kinsale at the time). The tales of their drinking sessions were many and legendary. Sadly I never got to meet him as he tended to be out of the country whenever I was in Co Cork. I would have liked to have met him and had a drink or two with him - could have been fun.

I met him a couple of times down there. We have property in West Cork in Schull and Crookhaven so would often spend time in and around Kinsale when I was a kid. Must the 30-35 years since I’ve been down there though. Must correct that at some stage. Meeting people who were pissed as a newt was not unusual down there so it was his accent that made him stand out more than anything.

I don’t recall eating at his Restaurant and had forgotten he had the place in Kinsale to be honest. I think of him doing travelogues through France and Italy getting hammered and cooking on a portable stove somewhere scenic, or in some local’s kitchen. Great TV.

Schull is great. If the weather is good it is marvelous in the summer. Always time for a few pints in the West End Hotel…which is gone now it seems, or at least renamed.